By Mark Staffieri All the best aspects of local women’s hockey were on full display Dec. 20 at the Bell Sensplex as a capacity crowd of over 500 gathered for the inaugural Do It for Daron match between the Ottawa Senators and Nepean Wildcats.
With many players and fans adorned in purple – the official colour of the teen mental health campaign in honour of former Senators girls’ hockey player Daron Richardson – numerous local PWHL alumni crowded the red carpet for the ceremonial opening faceoff.
Stephanie Richardson (the mother of Daron) and Ontario Women’s Hockey Association president Fran Rider dropped the puck in front of a group that included the likes of NCAA stars Amanda Leveille, Jamie Lee Rattray, Cydney Roesler and Daron’s older sister, Morgan.
“To be part of this event, it means a lot,” stated Senators player Stacy Galasso. “It gives you something to put forward (in the community). We use that to play hard in every game.”
The contest featuring one of the best rivalries in the PWHL set the stage for what should become an instant classic for years to come around the holiday season. Both clubs have now laid solid foundations for their women’s junior hockey programs, although with the large swing of players that moved from Ottawa over to Nepean before this season, the teams’ fortunes have also swung.
After struggling for their first two seasons in the league, the Wildcats are now sitting pretty at 10-5-6 this year, while the rookie-filled Senators lineup is 5-9-5.
After making her debut in the under-21 league last year as a 14-year-old, Wildcat forward Sam Cogan is now dominating at age 15 with 14 goals and 14 assists to sit sixth overall in PWHL scoring.
Cogan registered two assists on goals by Katryne Villeneuve and Josiane Pozzebon in the Dec. 20 match as the Wildcats skated away from a 1-1 tie halfway through the third period to post a 3-1 win over Ottawa. Meghan Brennan also scored for Nepean, while Samantha Morell had Ottawa’s goal.
“I think (playing Ottawa) does make the team want to win so much more,” Nepean captain Cassidy Campeau noted. “And we came out with a win, which is great for the team.”
Big Red Richardson
Morgan Richardson is already making an impact in her rookie NCAA season with the #3-ranked Cornell Big Red. Coached by Doug Derragh, an Arnprior native who played with Luke Richardson in junior hockey, the stay-at-home defender scored her first goal in a 4-0 win over Princeton back on Nov. 2.
Morgan calls the adaptation to life in New York state a success, thanks in large part to her parents being nearby in Binghamton, where Luke coaches the NHL Senators’ American Hockey League affiliate.
“I really enjoy having my parents close,” Morgan said by e-mail. “I get to see some of the B-Sens games and my parents get to see my games. And the best part is that I get home-cooked meals and laundry.”